Duval expects more F schools

But not as many as first thought under a new grading system.

TIA MITCHELL

Duval County schools Superintendent Joseph Wise is predicting 10 schools in the county could receive F's when school grades are released this month. That's a five-fold increase over last year but fewer than the 14 initially projected this year by the state.

The increase in F schools largely is due to grading formula changes on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test. The number of failing schools is expected to increase statewide. The district refused to disclose which schools are projected to fail.

Speaking at a media event Wednesday, Wise said he has formed a group of "turnaround schools" that, beyond those projected to get failing grades, includes other academically under-performing schools.

District officials and leaders from those schools will meet next week to gather ideas on how to improve student achievement next school year.

Possibly the most disappointing projection involves Ribault, Wise said. Despite nearly across-the-board improvements on FCAT this year, the high school is expected to receive an F under the new grading scale.

"They made more gains and more consistent gains than any other high school in the county," and maybe even the state, Wise said.

Ribault Principal Royce Turner said he and his staff have focused on the actual improvement posted by students this year, instead of what the school grade will be. But if last year's grading formula still was in place, Ribault would post a solid D, he said.

Turner and his staff already are planning for next school year, continuing their focus on improving reading proficiency. The majority of Ribault students still read below grade level. Reading ability is key for improving achievement on all subjects tested, educators say.

"We got results from a lot of the things we did this year, so we want to continue doing those things," Turner said.

The "turnaround schools" will be targeted for extra intervention. But in a tight budget year, Wise said, he can't pledge much more money to aid them. He said he pumped $3.4 million into Ribault alone this year, and he can't sustain that kind of financial support.

In addition to the district's plans, the state also may impose requirements for schools that receive F's, especially those with multiple failing grades in recent years. For example, this year Ribault and six other repeatedly failing schools from around the state were ordered to implement a 25-point action plan.

Wise said he is prepared to fight the state on one issue: He will not replace the principals at any of the schools. "I'm not changing the principal; I'm just not doing it," he said.

The grading formula for schools this year is scheduled to factor in science scores and learning gains for low-performers in math. Historically, school grades are released in mid-June, but that is all in jeopardy.

Recently, state officials announced there was an error in grading third-grade reading tests last year. Last year's students scores are factored into learning gains to calculate this year's school grades.

Now, school grades are delayed until the end of the month, and there could be alternative formulas used.